Towering over the small town of Arusha, Mt Meru at 4566m is Tanzania's second highest peak and is often overlooked because of it's proximity to Mt Kilimanjaro. Yet this not quite extinct volcanic cone offers a shorter scenic trekking option that is well worth the climb. It is a moderate climb with basic huts and camping grounds as accommodation facilities. One section of the caldera is broken away at 2500m resulting in a horseshoe shaped cone at the top of the mountain giving way to magnificent sheer cliffs. On the lower sections you'll often see buffalo and other antelope grazing in the grasslands before climbing up through the indigenous forests.

Tour Dates:
- July to October
- December to February.

Tour Highlights:
- Opportunity to see wildlife on the lower slopes
- Spectacular view of Kilimanjaro from the trail
- Several short side trips to be explored along the route
- Beautiful scenery and unique fauna & flora
- Summiting Tanzania’s second highest peak.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive at Mountain Inn in time for an early evening pre-climb briefing on the trek. After dinner make final preparations for the trek and enjoy a comfortable night’s rest.

Day 2: Drive to the Momella gate in Arusha National Park from where you start hiking. The first section of the climb takes you through grasslands and further up through lush indigenous forest, crossing the Ngare Nanyuki river to reach Miriakamba Hut at 2541m where you’ll stay overnight. Duration of hike is approximately 4 to 5 hours.

Day 3: Today you continue to ascend steeply through the forest and giant heather to reach Saddle Hut at 3570m. Walking time is 2 to 3 hours. From here it is possible to take a side trek to reach the summit of Little Meru which lies at 3794m. The return trip takes about 2 hours. Overnight at Saddle Hut.

Day 4: An early pre-dawn start takes you via Rhino Point and then on to the summit at 4566m to see the sun rise behind Mount Kilimanjaro. After viewing this spectacular vista descend back down to Momella Gate to be met and transferred back to Mountain Inn for dinner and overnight stay. If you’d prefer to take the last day at a more relaxed pace, it is possible to extend the trek by a day and return to Saddle hut to overnight before returning to Momella gate.